I've See It All Before

This one has been a long time in development - almost 20 years as a matter of fact.

I originally started this one back in college in the late 1980s. It was only a bass line and lyrics. I'd tried to record it using a four-track at the time, but didn't really have the ability to do it the way I wanted back then. So, it got tucked away in the dark recesses of my mind.

Fast forward to 2007 and, one day as I was fiddling around with the bass, the old bassline pops up in my head and, after some considerable strain, the words came back to the surface. Realizing I had equipment, time and skills which would make my original intent for the song more of a reality, I set about recording. Yeah, it was much harder than I thought.

This has gone through a number of different versions, lots of trial and error and still isn't exactly the way I hear it in my head, but it's as close as I'm going to get it, at least for now.

This is a little different from most of the stuff I've done before. The vocals were a tad difficult and, as you'll hear, not necessarily something I could do over and over until I got enough takes to get everything the way I wanted. It's got a mix of live brass and digital winds (since I don't yet have a saxophone) and, yes, there are some digital enhancements in a place or two on the vocals.

All in all, this one was a fun one to do because it did present some challenges. One day, I may revisit it, but for now, I'm pretty please.

very
cool that you finally got this one out. i have a theory that a song doesn't really exist until it's recorded and someone can hear it. i love the horns, they are very cool. i didn't realize that you played horns. and my fingers are bleeding just listening to that bass line. also worth mentioning is the middle 8 section going into the guitar solo. nice change. good job man.

Great work -
This tune has aged well in your brain my friend. You really pushed yourself with this one and it's paid off. I know how hard it is to sing outside your comfort zone - I'm no pro and it hurts after a while - but you really pulled it together. Love the horns and the arrangement.

Nice bass Joe
This is a real change from you - you have a "white soul" voice a bit like an Australian called Peter Blakely (who I liked a lot).
Best vocal so far from you, and I like the comparatively sparse backing on this compared to your other stuff. I'd like to hear the drums a little bigger in the mix. Good to hear the live horn/s.
Happy 2008!
Neil

I like that drum beat...
In fact, I think I've used it from time to time... It makes a great beginning... But I REALLY like that bass line...

And you're vocal line is great... Terrific singing...

I'll go way out on a limb here and opine that we'll hear another version of this at some point... At which point, I would suggest that you have perceptualvortex handcraft you a drum track that intertwines with that bass line of yours, and build the whole track up from that combination...

cool!
i can hear the 80s flave here...being something you stated back in the 80s didnt hurt too...haha...aahh..those great 80 bass lines ....reminds me of an old bandmate that used to lay down that slap/pluck bass...nice track!